Mining job losses in Wyoming at the end of 2012 have contributed to the lowest job and payroll growth in the state in over two years, despite modest economic growth overall.
David Bullard is a senior economist with the Wyoming Department of Workforce services. He says that the slight increases in tourism-related fields, such as accommodation and food service, are not making up for heavy losses elsewhere.
“The job losses in oil and gas and temporary help services are certainly not suggesting anything positive for the future. Job losses in those areas are likely to lead to more job losses in other industries,” he added.
Bullard points out that while total wages did increase by just under four percent across the state, this was primarily due to bonuses and raises, not job creation.